Arts

Barocci exhibit shows his devotion, to art, reverence

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 20:53:10 +0000

Teak Phillips | editor@archstl.org

When Christians pray and worship at Church of the Cross in Senigallia, Italy, they face a bold painting of Christ's burial.

The picture depicts the crucified Christ being carried by St. John the Evangelist, Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea. The Blessed Virgin sorrowfully watches and Mary Magdalen kneels in prayer. Three nails, marked by the blood Christ shed for our sins, and His crown of thorns jump out in the foreground. The others with whom He was crucified remain on crosses in the distant background.

Soul-stirring portraits give a sense of life in Haiti

josephkenny — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:33:57 +0000

By Joseph Kenny | jkenny@archstl.org

Thumbnail (for Multimedia Slideshows)

Curé of Ars speaks to us in ‘Vianney’

lisajohnston — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:57:21 +0000

Barbara Watkins | bwatkins@archstl.org

He was a poor student who struggled in the seminary, regarded as not bright enough to be a priest. Yet he not only succeeded as a priest, he is the patron of priests and a canonized saint. He is St. John Vianney, the Curé of Ars, and his story will be told in two upcoming performances in the St. Louis Archdiocese.

Ceili Rain transcends with music that has a message

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 21:10:22 +0000

By Jennifer Brinker | jbrinker@stlouisreview.com

There's something to be said when a band with a Catholic background can transcend the message behind its music.

And that's what Ceili Rain has done by way of the band's upbeat, catchy tunes, featuring a Celtic/Irish pop-rock influence, in reaching out to a diverse audience.

In centuries-old buildings, some Vatican workers have techie paradise

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 22:02:54 +0000

Carol Glatz | Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY -- Looking at the centuries-old buildings and palaces, not many people would know that the Vatican has become a techie paradise, a wonderland of modern equipment and know-how.

For instance, the Vatican Library is using NASA technology to digitize its treasures, according to some of the latest facts listed in the "The Activity of the Holy See: 2010," a yearbook published by the Vatican in September.

Called Flexible Image Transport System, the digital file format is standard among the world's astronomers for storing, sending and manipulating images.

Rembrandt paintings that changed how world saw Christ on exhibit

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:10:46 +0000

Lou Baldwin | Catholic News Service

PHILADELPHIA — Matthew, Mark, Luke and John told us all about what Jesus said and did, but not one of them mentioned what he looked like.

The vaguely European-featured Jesus with a brown beard and hair was pretty much the standard for most of history, at least until Rembrandt van Rijn, the greatest painter, draftsman and printmaker of the Dutch Golden Age, came along. In the mid-17th century he and students at his Amsterdam studio painted a series of at least eight heads of Christ that set the liturgical art world on its ear.

John Michael Talbot to come to Edwardsville parish

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 20:59:36 +0000

John Michael Talbot, who is referred to as the world's most popular Catholic recording artist and a contemporary Christian music pioneer, will come to St. Boniface Parish in Edwardsville, Ill., Tuesday-Thursday, Oct. 4-6, for three evenings of music, teaching and prayer.

The programs start at 7 p.m. and are part of what he calls his "Worship and Bow Down 2011" tour featuring music from his latest CD, "Worship and Bow Down," as well as selections from his vast collection. A free-will offering will be collected each evening.

Family secret provides twists in 'Jumping the Broom'

Wed, 18 May 2011 16:49:44 +0000

By Kurt Jensen | Catholic News Service

NEW YORK -- Expertly performed faith-tinged family comedies such as "Jumping the Broom" (TriStar) are such a rare and welcome treat, is it even fair to quibble?

We must. The family secret at the heart of the plot is so emotionally painful and morally and legally complex, it would stop people in their tracks in real life, after which they would probably seek out the likes of Dr. Phil.

Artist's eye-popping creations inspired by Catholic faith

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 19:46:21 +0000

By Joseph Kenny | jkenny@stlouisreview.com

Eye-popping bright colors and unexpected shapes greet viewers of artwork by Ali Cavanaugh.

It wasn't always that way, said the parishioner of Ste. Genevieve Parish in Ste. Genevieve. She used heavy, oil paint and her work had a bit of a dark side.

The transformation came about after she became a Catholic and had begun learning about her faith by listening to Catholic radio while she worked. As she went through the change, switching to watercolors, the popularity of her artwork took off, too.

Vatican Museums offer hands-on approach to art for blind, deaf people

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 20:47:01 +0000

By Carol Glatz | Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican Museums have launched special tours for deaf and blind people.

The two-hour tours are free to the hearing- and visually impaired and seek to offer a multi-sensory experience of some of the museums' most famous works.

The initiative also marks the first opportunity for the deaf in Italy to receive training and work in a museum as an experienced guide rather than solely as an interpreter, said speakers at a news conference March 1.

Recording artist Donna Cori Gibson to perform Advent concerts here

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 18:26:36 +0000

Jennifer Brinker | jbrinker@stlouisreview.com

Just in time for the season of Advent, nationally known Catholic recording artist Donna Cori Gibson is coming to St. Louis for several free concerts at parishes around the archdiocese.

Gibson has produced more than half a dozen CDs and performed on Catholic radio and television stations around the country, including EWTN and New York's Prayer Channel. Her music is focused on prayer, the truths of the Church and Scripture. Her recordings have included Christmas music, the lives of the saints, the truths of the Catholic faith, Divine Mercy, Scripture and the Rosary.

St. Michael students share art project with community

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:45:13 +0000

Barbara Watkins | bwatkins@archstl.org

The third-graders at St. Michael the Archangel School have a special interest in the mural hanging in the Shrewsbury City Center. They created it.

"Art is a way to communicate, a form of visual communication," explained St. Michael art program coordinator Kris Wollaeger. "It can be a powerful tool to enhance the community, to bring forth a message to the community and be a tie to the community." The mural is a good way to illustrate this, Wollaeger said.

Young Catholic Musicians members get scholarships

Tue, 25 May 2010 21:56:05 +0000

The Young Catholic Musicians, an orchestra and choir of young singers and instrumentalists from throughout the St. Louis area, recently awarded $2,800 in scholarships to its members. Founded in 1974, the Young Catholic Musicians (YCM) organization is led by Father Bruce H. Forman, pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Soulard. They lead music for Mass at churches around the archdiocese, perform concerts and take an annual summer tour, this year June 5-13.

Scholarships, recipients and their schools include:

Vatican Splendors exhibit offers intimate look at faith, art

Tue, 18 May 2010 18:19:24 +0000

By Jennifer Brinker | jbrinker@stlouisreview.com

The "Vatican Splendors" exhibit that opened last weekend at the Missouri History Museum promises to serve as a glimpse into more than 2,000 years of history and culture, as evidenced through a collection of nearly 200 objects on loan from the Vatican.

The exhibit was well attended on its opening day, May 15. A spokesperson for the Missouri History Museum said there were more than 1,300 visitors the first weekend. As of Review press time, the museum also had pre-sold more than 5,100 individual tickets and nearly 10,000 group tickets.

Editorial | Art exhibit is a rich testament of our faith

Thu, 13 May 2010 19:38:27 +0000

It is understandable that people remain impressed by the great art of Europe. Spanning hundreds of years, the treasures that exist on the European continent reflect the genius of artists inspired to give to both God and man the best of their talent.

The Vatican has long been known for its magnificent collection of Catholic art. The paintings, sculptures and frescoes are part of our tradition, examples of the deep reverence held by the artists. A visit to the Vatican is awe-inspiring and can be a strong reminder of the importance of faith in our lives.